NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) 20110015824: Crop and Substrate Tests with Single Use Rooting "Pillows" for the VEGGIE Plant Growth Hardware

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by  NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crop and SubstrateTestswith Single Use Rooting "Pillows"forthe VEGGIE PlantGrowth Hardware
Gioia Massa1, Gerard Newsham2, JanicceCaro2, GaryStutte2, Robert Morrow3and Raymond Wheeler1
1. Surface Systems Division, Mail Code NE-S-1, KennedySpace Center, FL32899
2. ESCTeam QNA, Mail Code ESC-24, KennedySpace Center, FL32899
3. OrbitalTechnologiesCorporation, 1212 FourierDrive, Madison, WI 53717
Email addresses: [email protected], [email protected],[email protected],
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
KeyWords: Food Production, Habitation, Life Support, Spaceflight
VEGGIE is asmall plant production chamber built byORBITEC. This chambercan be collapsed foreasy
stowage and deployed in orbit. It is designed forgravityindependentoperation, and provides0.17 m2
ofcrop growth area with three primarysubsystems: an LED light panel, extendabletransparentTeflon
bellowsto enclosethe plants, and awicking reservoir. VEGGIE would provide the capabilityfor
astronautsto growfresh foodsfordietarysupplementation.
Initial planting conceptstested with the VEGGIE included directseedingor plug placementon the
reservoirsurface. These options had issues ofsaltaccumulation and eventual toxicity ifthe reservoir
was filled withnutrientsolution, and hardware reuse was limited due to sanitation. In response a
rooting packet or"pillow" conceptwasdeveloped: single-use bagsofmedia containingtime release
fertilizerwith awicking surface contacting the VEGGIE reservoir. Pillows beingtested are small
electrostatic bags with aNitexnylon mesh side, each holding 100mLofdrymedia. Six pillowsfit in one
VEGGIE unit; howeverpillow sizecould vary depending on crop selected. Seedscan be planted directly
in pillows and planted pillows can be hydrated in space as desired.
Ourgoalswere to define optimal media and crops foran ISS mission scenario. Planttests in pillows
were performed in acontrolled environmentchamber setto habitat-relevant conditions, and capillary
reservoiranalogswere utilized. Media tested within pillows included: acommercial peat-based potting
mix, arcillite (calcined clay), perlite: vermiculite, and peat-based: arcillite blends. Testing included 15
types ofleafygreens, snow pea, radish, and herbs. Media performance was crop dependent, but
generally plantsshowed the greatestgrowth in the peat-based: arcillite mixes. Crops with the best
performance in pillows were identified, andtesting is underwaywith select leafygreens examining plant
and microbial load response to repeated harvest. We planto use findings from previousflighttesting
with media to evaluatethe effectsofcapillary flow from the reservoirto pillows in Il~gravity. (Thiswork
was supported by NASA).
Crop and Substrate Tests with Single Use
Rooting "Pillows" for the VEGGIE Plant
Growth Hardware
1 2
Gioia Massa Gerard Newsham
J J
Janicce (Harp) Caro2 Gary Stutte2
J J
3 1
Robert Morrow and Raymond Wheeler
1. NASA Kennedy Space Center, Surface Systems Division
2. Kennedy Space Center, ESC Team QNA
3. Orbital Technologies Corporation
American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology 2011, San Jose, CA 1

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